MANASSAS, Va., Jan. 10 /Christian Newswire/ -- Richard A. Viguerie, the author of Conservatives Betrayed: How George W. Bush and Other Big Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause (Bonus Books, 2006), issued the following statement regarding the inclusion of Congressman Ron Paul in the January 10 Fox News Channel presidential debate in South Carolina:

"While many conservatives, libertarians, and fair-minded people of all political persuasions are still disappointed at the Fox News Channel's (FNC) exclusion of Ron Paul from the January 6 debate in New Hampshire, we are relieved that their January 10 debate in South Carolina will include all of the candidates.

"In New Hampshire, Ron Paul finished just 2,111 votes behind Rudy Giuliani. It is possible that if Congressman Paul had been included in the debate, he might have gotten at least 2,200 more votes. So, FNC may have affected the outcome of the New Hampshire primary. That's something a news organization should never do.

"By comparison, Paul received 15,392 votes more than Fred Thompson, who was allowed to participate in the New Hampshire debate. So, if FNC wanted a smaller debate, they clearly excluded the wrong candidate. But better yet, all candidates should have been included in New Hampshire and should be part of all future debates.

"I want to thank Fox for responding to viewers' interest in being able to see all of the candidates and hear all viewpoints in their South Carolina debate."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Richard A. Viguerie pioneered ideological and political direct mail and has been called "the funding father of the conservative movement" for his role in helping build dozens of conservative organizations. He is the author of Conservatives Betrayed--How George W. Bush and Other Big-Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause (Bonus Books, 2006).